Back in March, Mary Lee Tracy opened up her gym Cincinnati Gymnastics to 18 elite athletes for a USA minicamp, and with the upcoming U.S. Classic in Columbus, Ohio, and the U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Boston.

I was pleased to lead a nutrition clinic on elite gymnasts and nutrition and serve a clean-eating dinner cooked by my French chef husband, Mess. 

Many of the foods I discussed in my presentation showed up in the dinner. In my opinion, it was a gymnast’s "dream dinner" — and perfect for competition preparation. The focus of the nutrition presentation was on fueling the elite gymnast properly, through foods that stimulate the brain and help with immunity, repair, energy, and recovery. 

Both the coaches and athletes truly enjoyed this camp for Elite gymnasts of the red, white, and blue. The meal was educational, refreshing, and delicious!

Here's what the elites ate:

Appetizer

• Green salad: spinach, peppers hard boiled eggs — loaded with fiber, calcium, anti-inflammatory properties of the spinach, peppers loaded with vitamin C for immunity, and B12 for energy in the eggs

Main Course

• Wild salmon with sesame seed balsamic marinade — Omega 3 fats for brain health in the salmon, sesame seeds for magnesium/energy
• Grilled chicken, tomato, and olive oil — Vitamin B12 and protein in the chicken with the anti-inflammatory properties of the tomato and olive oil
• Sweet potatoes and garlic — complex carbohydrates for sustained energy in the sweet potatoes with the anti-fungal ant-viral properties of the garlic
• Green beans — crammed with fiber, calcium, and folic acid

Dessert

• Dark chocolate mousse — antioxidant-rich dark chocolate
• Berries — anti-inflammatory, energy, and immunity booster

Betsy McNally-Laouar is a nutritionist and personal trainer for gymnasts. Looking for a nutrition plan or training plan for yourself, team, or gymnast? Contact her at coach@betsymcnally.com or follow her on her Facebook page: Betsy McNally-Laouar Gymnastics Nutrition and Fitness Specialist